Saints look to keep their winning streak going
Alan Pardew looks likely to make a couple of changes to the side that started against Charlton, but the signs are these will be minimal and that he will retain the 4-4-2 formation that he employed against both Bristol Rovers and Charlton.
The two likely changes from Wednesday though are going to be Kelvin Davis back in for Bialkowski and Wayne Thomas out for Neil Trotman.
Of the two dropping Thomas will be the hardest decision, the ex Burnley player has done well in the two games he has deputised for Trotman, so Pardew has to decide whether to re instate Trotman or keep Thomas at centre half, the choice might show Saints fans the chanes of Trotman remaining at SMS past the New Year and whether Pardew is preparing for his departure.
Apart from those two its likely to be unchanged in both the midfield and up front injuries aside, David Connolly has been a revelation alongside Rickie Lambert and that points to another 4-4-2.
This formation would find favour with the fans, especially when the opposition are a side at the wrong end of the table and who are likely to want to come and shut up shop.
If Saints can make it another win then it will push them above Brighton and if other results go our way, it coould take us out of the bottom 4, not that relegation has ever been a serious worry, but its a psychological boost to get out of the bottom four.
Of course Brighton will not be a push over, their away record is good, winning only 1 but drawing 4 and losing just twice, proving what a hard side they are to beat on the road, the appointment of Gus Poyet will be another factor and the Seagull's players will be determined to show him they are good enough, indeed, if Brighton had turned just two games into wins they would be on the fringes of the play off's instead of on the verge of the drop zone, such is the closeness of this division.
For Saints though its all about winning, they have to keep winning week in and week out and slowly drag themselves up the table, every win makes a declaration to the rest of the promotion hopefuls and if we can get within 8 points of them, they will start to look at Saints and say if not for the 10 points we would be in the play offs and indeed pushing for an automatic spot.
Its a long season and Saints fans have to be patient, as has often been quoted, they have been so far and are now reaping the rewards and another big crowd on Sunday will surely help in taking another step forward.